Vocalizing Sport

Although a little inappropriate to discuss joke of the year as Manchester United fans, after suffering a humiliating 4-1 defeat to Liverpool at Old Trafford only yesterday. However it seems to me that Liverpool’s very own Fernando Torres cracked one of the best jokes ever, mainly for England fans when he described Liverpool team mate Steven Gerrard as “the best in the world” after speculation linking Gerrard with a move to Real Madrid after he became the man who replaced current World Player of the Year, Cristiano Ronaldo as the top transfer target for Real Madrid.

Now I must agree that Steven Gerrard is a great player, but the best in the World? I have to disagree. Cristiano Ronaldo may not have shown this “Greatest Player” tag consistently at international level, but atleast he has been able to demonstrate that he can work with other brilliant players as a team. When England needed Gerrard and Lampard to work together as a fantastic partnership, which on paper is arguably the best central midfield pairing ever, in practice it was an awful partnership.

Although I cannot fully blame Gerrard for the failure of both his partnership with Lampard and the England team’s failure to qualify for Euro 2008 under Steve McClaren, now manager of FC Twente. Playing as a central midfielder, we as England fans, expect he and Lampard to be working together, pulling the strings and forming a fordible team that would help build England up as to one of the great footballing nations once again.

So before any Liverpool player starts shooting their mouths off about how great Gerrard is and how he should be considered “The World’s Best Player”, maybe if he puts in consistently great, team working performances, especially with Lampard in the central midfield role with him, then I may consider him to be half the player of what Ronaldo currently is.

Manchester United, Chelsea and Everton all booked their place in the FA Cup semi final this weekend, whilst Arsenal overcame Carling Cup semi finalists Burnley at the Emirates to earn a quarter final match against Hull. The winner of that quarter final match will have the task of taking on the new revitalised Chelsea, under new manager Guus Hiddink. Everton will have to take on the industrious Manchester United at Wembley, who after their 4-0 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage, will be looking to continue their good form and increase their chances of winning 6 trophies this season, having already won the Carling Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and the FA Community Shield.

Chelsea managed to beat Coventry at the Ricoh Arena 2-0 with Didier Drogba opening the scoring after 15 minutes then Alex added to the scoreline after 72 minutes by capping off a simply mesmerizing, albeit controversial move. Chelsea have been looking much stronger since owner Roman Abramovich installed Russia coach Guus Hiddink as manager until the end of the season. With a trip to Italy to face Juventus on Tuesday, Chelsea will be glad that influential midfielder Michael Essien managed to play a part in this match after returning from a 6 month lay off from a knee injury.

Arsenal meanwhile took on Burnley in the 5th round at the Emirates Stadium, and won by a comfortable margin of 3-0, with goals from Vela, Eduardo and Eboue. Next up for the Gunners is a quarter final match against Hull City whereby the winner will have the daunting task of taking on Chelsea at Wembley. Arsenal will have to be focussed for their next match which includes a trip to Italy in order to take on AS Roma with a 1-0 advantage, Daniele De Rossi and David Pizarro are both doubts for the game against Arsenal which could see Arsenal through to the next round.

Manchester United managed to regain the goalden touch by thumping Fulham 4-0 with 2 goals from “reserve” striker Carlos Tevez, and 1 each from Wayne Rooney and Ji-Sung Park. The Red Devils’ quest for 6 trophies is still alive after this victory, although with Inter Milan on Wednesday and then Liverpool on Saturday, both fixtures at Old Trafford, the story could be much different by Sunday evening with Inter having the possibility of knocking United out of the Champions League and if Liverpool manage a win or a draw at Old Trafford it could see Chelsea reduce the gap to 7 or 8 points.

Everton kept their FA Cup hopes alive by beating Middlesbrough 2-1 at Goodison Park. Wheater opened the scoring for Middlesbrough just before half time. But Everton hit back just after half time with Fellaini grabbing the equaliser before ex-Manchester United striker Louis Saha scored the winner for the Toffees in the 56th minute.

Prediction 1- Arsenal to go through to the semi final. Although Hull will give them a run for their money I ca only see Arsenal getting through although you never know, one ex-United striker knocked out Boro, maybe an on loan striker from United could knock out United.

Prediction 2- Chelsea for the final. The revival since Hiddink has joined has been brilliant news for Chelsea fans and even if Arsenal, the stronger of the last 2 quarter finalists yet to book their place in the semi final I’m confident of a Chelsea victory and their progress.

Prediction 3- Manchester United to win. Although Everton will be confident of showing what they are capable of, especially after only just losing to United 1-0 at Old Trafford in the league at the end of January and that United’s defence is looking more and more uneasy and perhaps all it needs is for a stronger team, when attacking to take advantage of those errors that have been cropping up. Could be an Everton fixture but Sir Alex Ferguson loves this trophy and I’m sure we’ll see a very strong and confident team going to Wembley.